Suzanne Kelsey

214

she was sitting at the bar alone, save for an empty glass
what are you having i asked, sliding into a seat a few down from hers
i caught myself staring at the black ink that spilled down her collarbone
cosmopolitan she said without looking over at me
crossing her ankles, she let one stiletto slide to the floor
my eyes were drawn to her slender toes, the neon lights glinting off jet black polish

i flagged down the bartender and ordered a drink for each of us
when they arrived, she reached over and proffered hers for a clink
i noticed the pale circle on her third finger, a faint indent where a shackle used to be

i felt emboldened by the vodka so i asked you here alone
only then did she turn and look straight at me
not anymore
it took me aback – her directness – and i forgot my words
she smirked (a knowing smile) and turned back to her drink

she plucked the lime from the rim of her glass and motioned it toward me
i love the tartness she said, and delicately wrapped her lips around the rind
her teeth tearing the flesh

we sipped in silence for several more minutes
then she asked wanna get out of here
where to i glanced despondently out the rain-streaked windows 

she stood up, and, downing the rest of her cosmo, slipped her foot back in along the insole
she rocked her ankle back and forth, gripping the edge of the bar for balance
i stared, transfixed, until her smooth, soft heel sunk home

my room she said as she turned and clicked away
i scrambled to leave a few bills for the tab before following after her

214 she called over her shoulder, leading me toward the elevators

i met her in the bay and attempted to join her in the lift
but she placed a firm palm against my chest
you take the stairs she said as her fingers flexed, surprising me with their strength
i backed up a step, the doors closed between us, and i booked it for the stairwell

on my way up i loosened my tie and untucked my shirt
shook myself out of my blazer
tossing it over one shoulder, i found her door, and knocking, found it was open for me

i stepped through the threshold and took in the suite
there was the softest sound, as of silk falling to the floor

i had long enough to see her naked before me, long enough to grin like the fool i was
but not long enough 
to register her own exultant grin 

not long enough to turn around
or escape

room 214